In backpacking there's a saying that "one is none."
What "one is none" means is that if you only have one of a certain item, it's like having none of that item. Once you use it, you're done--and if you're out in the wilderness, that means you might be utterly and totally screwed.One coat might not be enough in a cold snap. One way to start a fire might fail in a rainstorm. One hat doesn't help you if that hat gets lost, or even just wet.What makes the "one is none" principle interesting for backpacking is, of course, that you have to carry everything! Carrying "extras" is at odds with the fundamental notion of backpacking itself--and it's tiring too.The result is that backpackers address "one is none" without "carrying extra stuff" by ensuring that the items they carry always can serve more than one purpose:
- A steel cup might also serve as a cookpot
- A dry bag can serve as a bucket
- A small table can also serve as a stool (in RV camping, for example)
- A neck gaiter (see: Buff) can also serve as a hat or a towel
Now, what many backpackers and other humans sometimes fail to realize is that "one is none" transcends the physical plane. Having at least "two ways" to shelter from a storm might mean that you carry one and you know enough to build another from natural materials. Having "two ways" to cook a meal might simply mean that you carry a stove and a fire starter.I find "one is none" to be a helpful reminder--and not just for backpacking or camping. Going into any situation with a Plan B--whether that means I'm carrying something to make that happen or I just know enough to bring it off--has been a good and useful practice for me. I can't tell you how many times this has saved me with critical technology during a presentation or conference or whatnot... and it's become a habit for me to ask "how else could you do this?" whenever someone shows me a new skill on the computer, in the kitchen, with a camera, or in the shop.
